Excepting the Blows with Joy

^"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." ~ James 1:2-4

Count it all joy. 

Oh boy...

All of it? Are you sure you meant all of it? 'Cause, all of it is kind of a lot! I mean come on! I'm only human after all! 

All of it.

Okay......here goes, all of it. 

Trials come and kind of pile up for some of us, ok, a lot of us, it seems like they come all AT. THE. SAME. TIME!!! WHY!?!?!? 
Let me tell you why. First off, the devil doesn't care about being "gracious" to your poor, over-burdened soul. He doesn't care if he is giving you to much to handle, if the flames are to hot, or if the timing isn't right. In fact, he is soooo glad, that he can hit you all at once, its his game. Wanna know why? Because it means a bigger chance to knock you down so hard, that you won't follow God. That's why.

If he can give you enough to make you buckle, he's almost got you. And now, he can play with that little mind of yours hanging upstairs. Yeah, kinda smart right? I know... ohh the devil is smart, and cunning and sly and tricky and just...pure evil. But guess what? God is smarter, and stronger, and He knows what will happen. So, who are you going to let win this battle? I know who I'm going to let.


I was at this clinic, it is a pregnancy center run by Christians, to help moms in need. It's called Abundant Hope. (<-it's pretty cool, you should check it out!) I was there with a friend who is an employee, and I was in the kitchen and saw a large whiteboard near the table. What is said captivated me. It was like a redbull or a coffee when your falling asleep being the wheel, that last bit of power or strength that you need. 

"When Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future." Wait, you mean I don't just have to get hit? You mean I can kinda, sorta give it back to him? Cool! Ok you want to show me all of my mistakes before a repented? Fine, see ya in judgement day. (not saying you should take that lightly because you shouldn't.) 

 Trials WILL come, trials WILL be hard, but He asks us to have joy, IN Him, because it is a test, a test to make us stronger.

So,

When you feel like thousands of things are piling up on you, - Remember God knows what He's doing. 
When everything seems cloudy and rainy, and grey. - Remember God always has light.(and it NEVER dims)
When your tired and feel alone, - Remember that God is strength and comforting. 

Remember. 

yeah it will not be easy, but, hey, it's SO worth it. 

Don't you think? 

Kneeling Down for Miracles.

Yes, we as Christians, true God loving, repentive,  seeking for His help, Christians, kneel down for miracles. 

Now you ask, " What do you mean, kneeling down for miracles?"

Prayer.    Prayer is what you should be kneeling down for, Prayer is what you ask God for Miracles,

Food, housing, car, money...etc.  I am a living testimony to those around me, that prayer works.  I know hardships, I know the feeling that you may lose your house in a matter of weeks because there was no work, no food, only bits and pieces found in the whole house.  I know the feeling of fear that your dream since you were 2 wasn't going to ever happen.  I know the feeling of being crushed because you didn't have trust in the Lord for the future. Oh believe me, I know it.. and the Lord said to me, "Oh you of little faith.".
I know the feeling that you feel totally helpless in your life because you have no control, ...and you don't like it.  You feel uncertain, never knowing when the next fly ball will come your way, and your afraid it will hit you...hard.  Your afraid that you can't be independent.  But Independence can only go so far, will you risk everything, just to be independent?  But the biggest concern or worry, is just, fear.  Your Afraid. 

Did you know that 365 times in the bible the Lord said "Do not Fear"?  That's for every day! DO NOT FEAR!  That's like asking us to touch the sky, or have super powers that you can image but will never have.  But He still says it, he says, Do not fear, because He LOVES you, He loves you so much He died for you.  But not only that, He is the KING OF KINGS and the LORDS OF LORDS, HE brought himself down from His thrown, His Kingdom, just to die for you and me. Sinful little things, that really is just a creation, a speck, a thing made of dust.  But made beautifully. 
  You see we are made in His image, I was just thinking about this earlier. Adam was made in His image, but that was before he sinned.  Do you think, it may not be made in His image physically, but perhaps spiritually?  Made perfect, like our Messiah.  But yet, we are just mere man, and we "fall short from the glory of God" [Rom. 3:23]

This fear, that we have, that I have! I'm just a young woman! A young adult, who has SO much to learn..

do not be afraid, trust God! It is impossible without His help, so cry out to Him, and ask Him to help you.

I have been struggling lately, certain areas in my life, relationships, dreams, future, these have all been a point in my life where I really need God.  But God is a good God, He is a FAITHFUL GOD.  He won't just let me hanging there, He will help me, at the right time, the right place, even maybe at my breaking point where I just can't go anymore without Him.  He has other ideas for me, and I, as a young lady, need to really LEARN how to trust Him. 

So, me, as a young, infant newborn christian, would like to encourage you, whoever you may be, to walk with me in this Life, and to just Trust Him, with every area. It will never be easy.  But it's worth it, don't you think?

Having Trust...That's Bravery

Bravery doesn't mean fearless doings, it means doing the things you are commanded to do, that is hard, really hard. Facing your fears. And Trusting the Commander, the one who has control of your life. Having trust...that's bravery..

Depression is a tricky, sticky, icky thing. When your depressed, your guard is down. Your sword is left on the ground, and your armor isn't on.
As a soldier, this is dangerous, you never know when the enemy will strike, unless you found out his schemes, but in this case, you just enlisted. Your young, free of spirit, and feeling bold and ready for anything.
You just finished boot-camp, your tired and worn, but you feel strengthened and ready for battle more then ever at the same time. Your commander has a special mission for you, you alone, but in order to find out what that is. You must first run on this road called LIFE.

L. I. F. E.

Living
In
Fearless
Evangelism 

Fearless.

Now that's a scary word! Having no fear! Okay? *gulp* But you can do this, right?
Your on this road, walking, walking and more walking, and this road just goes on and on! You can't see the end, and you were told to keep going until further notice.
Ok...

Now you come to the fork in the road.
Choose wisely.
Your Commander said, "do not choose the easier path"
There is one road which looks hilly, grassy and maybe even a little wet. But the Sun is shinning and yeah you might slip and fall but it wont be to bad. But it will definitely not be easy!
The other, has very hard ground. Kinda a misty haze that fills the air. This one looks pretty easy. It's a straight road and the ground is solid. You choose this one, it looks a lot easier to travel and yeah you may not be able to see that good, but at least you don't have to worry about slipping! Right?

You choose the easier one..

Now your walking, and you notice, you can't really see very well, kinda hard, like a thick fog that surrounds you. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea..
You look back, but you can't see anything, it completely disappeared.
Ok.. you can do this..just keep going. I'm sure this fog will end soon, right?

Wrong..

Now you have been on this road for a while, still can't see or hear very well, but something inside you tells you to get out now. But you don't, you can do this. Your gut tells you that you should have trusted your Commander..but you didn't..
But hey, at least your now being brave?
Vines of all kind get you entangled, you can't see your sword and your armor is caught, but you somehow get out.

Now your hot, and tired of carrying everything.  So you take off your helmet. And it lays there on the earth floor. Useless. Your breastplate is next, whew, you feel lighter, but yet, you don't. Hmm, maybe your boots and the rest of your armor would help if it was off.

Now you feel naked, but you can't find anything. But you still have your sword, so your good.

Then all of the sudden. You fall into a huge, almost endless hole. Your sword is gone, and you cling to some kind of ledge for dear life.You feel safer, but your not really.

Now that your still, you have time to think.

What have I done..? Why did I do this?

Now your really depressed, and you want help but yet, you just want to die in your misery, you deserve it, you should have listened to your conscience and turned back, and took the road that had the light, instead you choose the darker one. Because it looked easier.
No you have no hope, you let your fellow soldiers down, you never finished your mission, but most importantly. You let your Commander down. How could you? He send you on a special mission? And you completely messed up what you were sent to do. Whatever it was. All you know is, it was good, really good. Your Commander hand picked this special mission, just..for..you..
And now, you can't even face him. The shame you have fills you. and you can't even look up to the top of this hole.

Then all of the sudden, a voice cries out, calling your name. This voice..it sounds so familiar! Then you realize, it's your Commander. Yes! No! How can I be rescued?! He will never rescue you once he realizes what you did!

F.AL.S.E.

Your name is still being called, and now He is talking to you from the top of this pit.

"Soldier, I am sending down a rope, hold tightly, and don't let go!"

"No Sir. I cannot, I have failed my mission and I have let you down. I am not worthy to grab hold of this rope!" You feel crushed, beaten and worn. But he doesn't give up..

"Soldier, grab hold. It will save you!"

"I cannot Sir!" How can you? You are not worthy?!

"Soldier, were you worthy to be on this special mission? Were you worthy to be a soldier?" I have given you this gift, obey. Trust Me and grab tightly."

Okay.. Here goes..

Your gasp on for dear life, holding on so tightly. The ledge that saved you before crumbled into a million pieces. It was never really saving you, It just seemed like it.
The rope is moving upwards, slowly, the fog lightly disappears. More light is filling the air and you now see your Commander's face. So radiant, filled with love, peace, hope and joy. You now are on solid ground. Your Commander hugs you and makes you feel so safe and protected. Looks you in the eyes, and asks, "Why did you choose this path?"
You look down shamefully, "It looked easier.."

"Did I not say, Do not choose the easier path?"

You nod, "Yes Sir,"

"Soldier, I will never leave you, nor forsake you." I will help you when you fall, pick you up when you stumble, and help you when your weary. But you must choose the path with the light, and not the one that has darkness.."

Your redemption is here..

But He is not finished yet.

"Come."

Your Commander looks you in the eyes as He asks.

"Do you Trust Me?"


Will you Trust Him?